Inter-brain desynchronization in social interaction: a consequence of subjective involvement?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Hyperscanning in human neuroscience investigates social interaction mechanisms.
• Current research often assumes higher engagement correlates with increased inter-brain synchrony (IBS).
• Existing findings on IBS lack straightforward interpretation, prompting theoretical and methodological reevaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce inter-brain desynchronization (IBD) as a key factor in social interaction.
• To propose irruption theory as a framework for understanding IBD's role.
• To explain the variability of IBS in social interactions.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and theoretical contribution.
• Examination of irruption theory and neural entropy.
• Discussion of EEG hyperscanning and phase synchrony measures.

Main Results:

• IBD, measured by decreased phase synchrony, is proposed as a significant factor.
• Irruption theory predicts IBD increases with subjective involvement due to rising neural entropy.
• The balance between IBD and IBS is expected to fluctuate based on task demands and participant desire.

Conclusions:

• IBD may counterbalance IBS, explaining variability in neural synchrony during social interactions.
• Subjective involvement, operationalized by neural entropy, is a critical mediator.
• This perspective offers a novel framework for interpreting hyperscanning data in social neuroscience.